The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-04-02


II must tell you piece of family history,
Mr.. Lazarus" said Lady Gertrude. "Three
years ago my husbands elder brother died.
He was bachelor and very rich, and my
son was generally regarded as his heir.
But Spencer played his cards badly-hc Ia
too independent and high-spirited-and be-
cause he declined to entertain tho idea OF
marrying according to his unclc's wishes
he was entirely disinherited."
"Dear me! That's bad!" murmured Mr..
Lazarus, all attention.
"Thc young lndy-a charming girl-was
an orphan, the child OF lady whom the old
gentleman was formerly attached to; quite
| romantic story" resumed Lady Gertrude.
because my son refused to fall in with his
uncle's wishes, every farthing Of money
went to this girl, who is consequently an
| heiress.n
SIS tho young lady favorably disposed to
the Captain!" inquired Mr.. Lazarus.
"Sho Is devoted to him, and she regards
her fortune us being held in trust for my
son. In fact" added Lady Gertrude, en-
| phatically, "my husband was assured by
his brother on his death-bed that he had no
intention of disilheriting Spencer but
wished to insure his marrying Constance
Manning. He ought to have known my 8 on
better than to suppose he would marry the
girl for the sake of her money. But the fact
Is that that fortune is Spencer's whenever
he chooses to claim it,"
"Then the Captain must claim it at once"
said Mr.. Lazarus, slapping his knee with q
cheerful expression.
"You must make him, Mr. Lazarus" said
Lady Gertrude, insinuatingly. "Irelyvery
much upon your powers of persuasion,
backed by the hold you have over him. My
husband and have exerted our influence
in vain. MY son is Quixotic and ultra hon.
orable. Under ordinary circumstances moth
ing would induce him to marry the girl.
But whether, if he had to choose between
leaving the army in disgrace and swallow
ing his pride, he might not be prevailed
npon to claim what is rightfully his own
81 understand, my LADY," interrupted
Mr. Lazarus, so far forgetting himself in his
elation as to wink. "Leave it to me. By
the way, he added" sis the Captain well
disposed to the young lady?"
~ believe he loves her, and that nothing
but his foolish pride stands in the way,
said Lady Gertrude with conviction sim
mediately after his uncle's death he sud-
denly abandoned his quiet habits and took
to gambling and racing which led to his
connection with you. Why was thisl Dis
appointment at the money he had lost
Nothing Of the kind. 1t was because he
realized that, according to his notions, he
was forever separated from Constance. L
was desperation and recklessness brought
about by unhappiness.
''Trust lady, and especially mother
for fathoming love secrets ~ cried Mr. Laz
arus," quite enthusiastically
'yThen good-day," Mr.. Lazarus" sait
Lady Gertrude, rebuking the money-lcnd
er's familiarity by rising from her seat anf
bowling distantly. 81 am sure can rel.
upon your endeavoring to promote this mar
riage for your own sake; but it may BIZ
satisfaction to you to know that ii you brin
it about you will be fulfilling tho deares
wish Of your clients parents"
Mr.. Lazarus listened to this graciou
: speech with quite chivalrous thrill, whic
lasted until Lady Gertrude had issued fror
the room. Left to himself however, tn
astute gentleman soon cooled down, ant
upon calmly considering the interview, h
was strongly disposed to doubt his lat
VISITORS good faith.
II believe it's plan to gain time for tn
Captain" he murmured, while absent
: manipulating his gold toothpick. "The ol
. lady is as full Of tricks as monkey, Nv
heard, and so is her husband. Both Of Eel
> are well up in the game of playing hid
and-seek with creditors. But the Capital
), is as strictly honorable and straight 0
they make 'em, worse luck, il this story
true, for it won't be all plain sailing"
The result of Mr.. Lazarus meditation
. however, was that he deemed it wort
!, while to pay avisit to the probate offic,
- and to make certain inquiries which, to h
agreeable surprise, confirmed the trut
and accuracy of Lady G ertrudes informs
tion. The consequence was that whe
Captain Alwyn called, few days later, b
y appointment, in reference to his affairs, h
found the money-lender in a singularl
jocular mood.
i "Renew, Captain! OF course 1 will
/ Nobody can say that l am q relentle.
+ creditor Name your own time-onl
please be reasonable and remember tn,
: money is tight"
''Three months-give me three months,
said Spencer Alwyn eagerly. II can hol
y out no hopes of raising tho whole amour
in that time, but 1 have every chance
l getting staff appointment, which wi
;. enable me to pay considerable installment
IL Here are five and twenty pounds on al
count, though, dare say this sum won
l make any difference in the grand total, fc
i the debt goes on increasing in leaps an
D bounds, in spite Of all can do" added tn
young fellow. with grimace.
"Don't say that, don't say that" said Nj
!. :. Lazarus, deprecatingly, busily engaged wit
~ piece Of stamped paper. 'Here! Sig
:; this, and don't worry yourself, my mob
u Captain"
'It is too bad!" said Spencer Alwy
starting at the amount named. "By Jovc
it's too bad! wont sign it,"
"Thosc are my TERMS" replied Mr.. Lag
70 rus relentlessly.
D. swell, here goes" said ths other after
pause, affixing his signature with an air
- desperation. cts the last time. If CT
not make some definite arrangement Wi
+ you in tho course OF the next three month
J, must leave you to do your worst"
~ dare say we shan't hurt you, Captain,
;, said Mr.. Lazarus, blotting his client
% y, sprawling signature upon the pad, u,
throwing the document carelessly asid
u But want to have chat with you. He
7" yourself to a cigar from the box there
They won't hurt you They are my ow
u private particulars"
n Spencer Alwyn understood the allusit
's to the vllainous brand which Mr. Lazar
supplied us cash to his customers, aI
10 laughed at the mans impudence He pr
ferred cigarette, however, which he tot
r from his own case, and waited to hear whi
his companion had to say.
Q, "Ive heard a little story about you, Ca
G. tain, and certain young lady," said NJ
$. Lazarus, putting at his cigar
10 "What do you means" inquired Spence
T. starting.
"Oyer Elstead way" said Mr.. Lazaru
+. pointing over his shoulder and grinning.
A dangerous light CLEANED for u mono